ASH8

HIROSHIMA, Japan--Mazda Motor Corporation today held a 'line-off' ceremony for the CX-9 crossover sport-utility vehicle (SUV) being built for the North American market at the Ujina Plant No.1 near its global headquarters in Hiroshima. Hisakazu Imaki, Mazda's representative director, chairman of the board, president and CEO, along with approximately 450 staff—comprised of several senior executives, union representatives and employees—attended this ceremony. The Mazda CX-9 will be arriving in North American showrooms in early 2007.

"The CX-9 will be the latest addition to Mazda's product lineup in the all-important North American market, joining the Mazda CX-7, which went on sale there in May", said Hisakazu Imaki. "CX-9 is a key model aimed at raising the visibility of Mazda in North America and will be an integral part of building the brand. Furthermore, to keep on providing the best Zoom-Zoom products that will exceed our customers' expectations around the globe, we must continue our efforts as 'One Mazda' to build even higher-quality vehicles."

The Mazda CX-9 is a seven-seat crossover SUV designed and engineered specifically for the North American market. The CX-9 showcases Mazda's unique design and strong, dynamic driving performance as well as an up-market interior with class-leading space and unmatched versatility. The CX-9 debuted at the New York International Auto Show in April 2006, earning high marks for its versatility and remarkable styling that makes a clean break from traditional medium-sized SUVs.

From Mazda Media

zoom44

there was a whole finsihed pre production build from the line at 7stock on display

there was also one in the tech building's parking lot in white all taped up to mask what it was but we got pics. brillo has them and ill make sure they get posted here later. found out also that we have a freind who worked on the cx-9.

ASH8

I cant resist putting a 'caption' to the pic and the giant KEY presentation.....as the smile and flash camera goes off ....

"GET THIS LOT OVER TO THE UNITED STATES ON A SHIP THAT WON'T SINK.....OR I WILL STICK THIS BLOODY Mazda KEY WHERE THE SUN DON'T SHINE.......Click!

Mazdaspeed RX8 ver2

its looking awesome... mazda is really joining the ranks of the other japanese automotive companies.

ASH8

Get your friend(cx-9) to tell you some more on the RX- future!!!...

BTW Charlie, you ain't going to believe this....BUT I checked out the table pic of you,RG, Brillo, etc.......................

Well you know how somewhere in the world there is a double of you.....I am not kidding man, we are almost IDENTICAL!!!!....OH NO HE SAYS!!!

Apart from your Goat-T, I have slightly larger glasses, our build and hair line...etc, same....I am really blown out!!!............ my long lost BRO!!!! ...this is where you have been ALL my life...........


Seriously, I am probably 15 years older that's all!!

ASH8

Yeah, I thought the same....looks great...I wonder if we will get it in OZ?..
I even like the colour (color)....

Yeah well , you all know I am TOTALLY BIAS...but, you have to admit MAZDA has one...if not the best vehicle line up of any manufacturer at the mo....

ALL we want now is a MAZDASPEED RX-8, and a Mazdaspeed MX-5...or call them MPS....For ALL World MARKETS!....are you listening MAZDA!!

Mazdaspeed RX8 ver2

haha, you should be getting it in OZ. We're getting it over here. I think the reason why they only have the mazdaspeed rx8 in japan is because the mazdaspeed market internationally has always been turbo? and because they know that everyone is "hp hungry", they knew they would be a laughing stock especially parring up to the nismo 350z. the only reason its in japan only is because over there, its not all about hp, its about the overall performance of the vehicle. well, this is all just my opinion.. haha.

i wonder how cool it would be to mod the cx-7 though. it may be the next sleeper compared to the subaru forester.

Renesis_8

There is no place in Japan to show off ur Hp anyways.
________
Volcano Vaporizer

Mazdaspeed RX8 ver2

exactly....
its relatively all about the overall performance of the car

rotary crazy

acording to the people that went to ss9 one of the mazda guys said that theres going to be the introduction of another mazdaspeed model next week, lets hope its the 8!

CarAndDriver

I already read one very positive preview review from one of the US auto mags. I think it'll be a winner if it is priced competitively.

I'd prefer the V6 in the 9 over the turbo in the 7.

N rider89

yeah i saw the cx-9 at ss9 too. i think it looks better than the cx-7 just because i never like the tailights on the cx-7

MP3Guy

I think Mazda is entering a very crowded market segment at this time. I dont think the 9 will sell very well, I'm afraid.

Renesis_8

"CX-9 is a key model aimed at raising the visibility of Mazda in North America and will be an integral part of building the brand."

It might not sell a lot, but it'll certainly help Mazda, the pictures of the interior looks very good. And the quality of interior parts have improved dramatically in recent years for Mazda. I rmb the leather on the older Mazda6s feels/look the same as plastic... maybe its 90% plastic. The leather on the CX-7 was a lot better.
________
CHILD DEPAKOTE

CarAndDriver

I disagree. It is not like they are bring a big truck based SUV over. This is a car based SUV and those are currently the rage with SUV buyers.

ASH8

The day I posted this thread...I asked the question if the CX-9 will come to Australia in RHD...of course....

Well on the same day Mazda Australia announced that it's release here will be early 2008.....

Great to see that MA 'troll' these forums and Doug Dickson responded to my request....

You just never know when someone is watching.....RX8club.com!!

Clavius

I personaly hate SUV's just to big and bulky and well sluggish. Mazda seems to me atleast has overcome this image. Which I aplaud hopefully the mpg is excelent and I will see more than one person in one all the time which to me is my major beef with the SUV's. Just wish it looked a little bit well more different than the Cx-7 but then again it will make the Cx class I guess stand out more from the other companies.

CarAndDriver

I think the CX-9 hides its size well as opposed to something like the LR3 that says I am big bulky and ugly.